The word often conjures up images of a weak, bashful person, hat in hand,
fearful of asking for a small favor, even cowering before a domineering
spouse. A wimp. That was what I visualized as meekness when I
was growing up. Maybe you did too.
Later, I was to discover that in the Scriptures we are told in the Hebrew (Old) Testament that Moses was meeker than any other man living on earth. My image certainly did not fit what we see of the man who continually confronted the pharaoh of Egypt, demanding the release of his people. Moses often stood firm against and demonstrated anger at times in dealing with the willful Israelites during their pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Also, in the New Testament Jesus said that the meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth.
Obviously, my original concept of meekness was different from the Biblical definition. So what does it truly mean to be meek? Another word that is used in some Bible translations in the place of meek is humble. In our culture being humble can be considered to be an admirable trait unless it also implies weakness or poverty.
But the best and most concise definition that I have heard for meekness is: power under control. That clearly described Moses who, as the direct link between God and the people, exercised great power and authority over them but used it only as he was instructed and with great restraint. At one point he even interceded on behalf of the Israelites when God was prepared to destroy them for their disobedience and make only Moses’ descendants His people.
But the road to meekness (power under control) for Moses was a long one. From the time he killed the Egyptian taskmaster (a flare up of human power gone out of control) until the exodus experience, he had spent forty years of humility training caring for his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness.
Because of the sin of pride and arrogance that afflicts the human race, God may use many circumstances in our lives to teach us meekness. If we are followers of Jesus, we know God works all things for our good for the purpose of conforming us to the image of His Son. Far greater than Moses, Jesus on the cross with the power to wipe out the whole world, demonstrated ultimate meekness by holding that power in check instead. He knew that the cross was the only way He could redeem the world that He so loved (John 3:16).
As I look back over my life, I can see many examples of God’s training to develop this trait in me, and I’m quite sure that He hasn’t finished the process yet! Recently, the Lord brought to mind one such event that could have had a tragic ending had He not been present to prevent it. I’ll be forever grateful that He did.
One Sunday morning about 13 years ago, Sherril and I took her dad and mom to church. This had recently become part of our regular routine because they had given up driving for disability reasons. We had returned to the States from 35 years of living abroad only a few months earlier with the goal of coming along side them as their need for assistance was beginning to become apparent.
Following the church service, I drove their car to the walkway where they would be slowly making their way out. Dad had Parkinson’s that affected his walking ability. As they came down the walkway, I quickly hopped out of the car and went around to open the doors on the passenger side. Mom got in the back first, and Dad was about to get in the front, which was the only seat he could get into and out of easily.
At that moment I noticed the car starting to slowly roll backward and I rushed back to the driver’s seat to hit the brakes. In my haste I accidentally hit the accelerator instead, causing the car to lurch backward. The open front door on which Dad was bracing himself suddenly bowled him over to the ground. I heard someone scream, and in an instant of panic hit the emergency brake jolting car to a stop.
Before I knew it, someone had already called 911 and the whole church parking lot had became an accident scene complete with first responders and lots of onlookers. Thankfully, Dad only sustained a few scrapes and bruises from the fall, and we were eventually able to be on our way home. Only later did I learn that someone was walking behind the car when it lurched backward that also had been in danger.
We all realized that the Lord had been with us, protecting us, and thanked Him for averting what could been a huge tragedy. At the same time, I was totally devastated and humiliated. Here I was, instead of providing care and support to my wife’s parents, causing them hurt instead. I couldn’t imagine how I had been so careless to leave the car in gear with the engine running. Then, to be so clumsy to hit the gas instead of the brake – experienced drivers just don’t do such things! And, of course, they don’t do them in front of a crowd of their in-laws' friends!
I don’t know if I felt worse from the threat of harm I had caused or the embarrassment from my ineptitude, but it was obviously a very humbling experience. Sure, you might say it was an accident in the line of duty, but somehow that thought didn’t provide much relief. On the other hand, this all fit in with God’s plan to reduce my pride and increase His glory. I think Pete Willson, Wheaton College’s head wrestling coach and hall of famer, summed it up very accurately when he said, “God’s plan is not for us to be important and bring glory to Him, but it is to be humble and unimportant so that all may see His glory.”
We can choose to be meek (humble ourselves), give our pride and self assertiveness over to Him, and He will exalt us, or we can wait for Him to discipline us instead with inevitable consequences. (James 4:10)
Later, I was to discover that in the Scriptures we are told in the Hebrew (Old) Testament that Moses was meeker than any other man living on earth. My image certainly did not fit what we see of the man who continually confronted the pharaoh of Egypt, demanding the release of his people. Moses often stood firm against and demonstrated anger at times in dealing with the willful Israelites during their pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Also, in the New Testament Jesus said that the meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth.
Obviously, my original concept of meekness was different from the Biblical definition. So what does it truly mean to be meek? Another word that is used in some Bible translations in the place of meek is humble. In our culture being humble can be considered to be an admirable trait unless it also implies weakness or poverty.
But the best and most concise definition that I have heard for meekness is: power under control. That clearly described Moses who, as the direct link between God and the people, exercised great power and authority over them but used it only as he was instructed and with great restraint. At one point he even interceded on behalf of the Israelites when God was prepared to destroy them for their disobedience and make only Moses’ descendants His people.
But the road to meekness (power under control) for Moses was a long one. From the time he killed the Egyptian taskmaster (a flare up of human power gone out of control) until the exodus experience, he had spent forty years of humility training caring for his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness.
Because of the sin of pride and arrogance that afflicts the human race, God may use many circumstances in our lives to teach us meekness. If we are followers of Jesus, we know God works all things for our good for the purpose of conforming us to the image of His Son. Far greater than Moses, Jesus on the cross with the power to wipe out the whole world, demonstrated ultimate meekness by holding that power in check instead. He knew that the cross was the only way He could redeem the world that He so loved (John 3:16).
As I look back over my life, I can see many examples of God’s training to develop this trait in me, and I’m quite sure that He hasn’t finished the process yet! Recently, the Lord brought to mind one such event that could have had a tragic ending had He not been present to prevent it. I’ll be forever grateful that He did.
One Sunday morning about 13 years ago, Sherril and I took her dad and mom to church. This had recently become part of our regular routine because they had given up driving for disability reasons. We had returned to the States from 35 years of living abroad only a few months earlier with the goal of coming along side them as their need for assistance was beginning to become apparent.
Following the church service, I drove their car to the walkway where they would be slowly making their way out. Dad had Parkinson’s that affected his walking ability. As they came down the walkway, I quickly hopped out of the car and went around to open the doors on the passenger side. Mom got in the back first, and Dad was about to get in the front, which was the only seat he could get into and out of easily.
At that moment I noticed the car starting to slowly roll backward and I rushed back to the driver’s seat to hit the brakes. In my haste I accidentally hit the accelerator instead, causing the car to lurch backward. The open front door on which Dad was bracing himself suddenly bowled him over to the ground. I heard someone scream, and in an instant of panic hit the emergency brake jolting car to a stop.
Before I knew it, someone had already called 911 and the whole church parking lot had became an accident scene complete with first responders and lots of onlookers. Thankfully, Dad only sustained a few scrapes and bruises from the fall, and we were eventually able to be on our way home. Only later did I learn that someone was walking behind the car when it lurched backward that also had been in danger.
We all realized that the Lord had been with us, protecting us, and thanked Him for averting what could been a huge tragedy. At the same time, I was totally devastated and humiliated. Here I was, instead of providing care and support to my wife’s parents, causing them hurt instead. I couldn’t imagine how I had been so careless to leave the car in gear with the engine running. Then, to be so clumsy to hit the gas instead of the brake – experienced drivers just don’t do such things! And, of course, they don’t do them in front of a crowd of their in-laws' friends!
I don’t know if I felt worse from the threat of harm I had caused or the embarrassment from my ineptitude, but it was obviously a very humbling experience. Sure, you might say it was an accident in the line of duty, but somehow that thought didn’t provide much relief. On the other hand, this all fit in with God’s plan to reduce my pride and increase His glory. I think Pete Willson, Wheaton College’s head wrestling coach and hall of famer, summed it up very accurately when he said, “God’s plan is not for us to be important and bring glory to Him, but it is to be humble and unimportant so that all may see His glory.”
We can choose to be meek (humble ourselves), give our pride and self assertiveness over to Him, and He will exalt us, or we can wait for Him to discipline us instead with inevitable consequences. (James 4:10)
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